• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2015

Murine mycoplasmosis, caused by Mycoplasma (M.) pulmonis, is a prominent disease in rodent animals. The aim of this study was to develop a sensitive and specific PCR assay to detect M. pulmonis in animals and to assess the suitability of this assay for the detection of mycoplasmal infection in rats experimentally infected with M. pulmonis. A new PCR assay using the M. pulmonis-specific primer pairs MPul-F and MPul-R was developed. The primers and probe for the assay were designed from regions in the 16S rRNA gene that are unique to M. pulmonis. The novel PCR assay was very specific and sensitive for M. pulmonis, detecting the equivalent of 5 pg of target template DNA. It detected only M. pulmonis and no other Mycoplasma species or other bacterial species. The newly developed PCR assay also effectively detected M. pulmonis infection in rats. These results suggest that this PCR assay using M. pulmonis-specific primer pairs of MPul-F and MPul-R will be useful and effective for monitoring M. pulmonis infection in animals.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.8.1-8.12
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• 2023

Background: Intestinal parasites in livestock cause huge economic setbacks. Moreover, these parasites can threaten human health when also present in companion animals. Objectives: The study examined the prevalence and burden of intestinal parasites among roaming/migrating animals (goats, sheep, cattle, and dogs) to provide insights into the risk of potential human parasitic infections. Methods: A total of 1,741 fecal samples from goats (n = 920), sheep (n = 335), cattle (n = 230) and dogs (n = 256) were obtained randomly across 18 local government areas in Edo State, Nigeria. The parasite samples were recovered and identified under a microscope. Molecular tools were used to identify Toxocara spp. Results: Eighteen different parasites were isolated. Among the different groups of parasites observed, nematodes occurred the most, followed by protozoans. Among nematodes, Haemonchus was most prevalent in goats (28.04%) and sheep (29.85%), while Strongyloides (10.86%) and Bunostomum (8.69%) were relatively high in cattle. Strongyloides (3.9%), hookworm (3.9%), and Toxocara (3.12%) were the predominant parasites in dogs. For protozoan parasites, Eimeria was most common in all 4 animal hosts. Several goats (2.39%) and sheep (2.38%) tested positive for Fasciola spp. Molecular analysis confirmed Toxocara canis in dogs for the first time in Nigeria. Conclusions: The major parasites recovered from these roaming/migrating animals have zoonotic potentials that can threaten human health.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.243-259
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• 2023

Machine learning and deep learning (ML/DL) algorithms have been successfully applied in medical practice. However, their application in veterinary medicine is relatively limited, possibly due to a lack in the quantity and quality of relevant research. Because the potential demands for ML/DL applications in veterinary clinics are significant, it is important to note the current gaps in the literature and explore the possible directions for advancement in this field. Thus, a scoping review was conducted as a situation analysis. We developed a search strategy following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed and Embase databases were used in the initial search. The identified items were screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Information regarding model development, quality of validation, and model performance was extracted from the included studies. The current review found 55 studies that passed the criteria. In terms of target animals, the number of studies on industrial animals was similar to that on companion animals. Quantitative scarcity of prediction studies (n = 11, including duplications) was revealed in both industrial and non-industrial animal studies compared to diagnostic studies (n = 45, including duplications). Qualitative limitations were also identified, especially regarding validation methodologies. Considering these gaps in the literature, future studies examining the prediction and validation processes, which employ a prospective and multi-center approach, are highly recommended. Veterinary practitioners should acknowledge the current limitations in this field and adopt a receptive and critical attitude towards these new technologies to avoid their abuse.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.408-413
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• 2023

The incidence of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS), a prominent geriatric disease, is increasing because of the extended lifespan of companion animals. Various complementary therapies have been proposed for the management of CCDS. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of the Brain Six Complex Extract^ⓒ in dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). Fifteen dogs with CDS were included, and four to five drops of Brain Six Complex Extract^ⓒ, composed of herbal extracts, were applied around the dorsal neck of all dogs twice daily for 1-3 months. Clinical efficacy was evaluated using the CCDS scale, and serum β-amyloid oligomer concentrations were measured before and after administration of the extract. The CCDS scale score significantly decreased after administration in dogs with CDS (p = 0.0313), compared to pre-administration levels. Although the serum β-amyloid oligomer concentration decreased after administration, the change was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). A notable decrease was observed between pre- and post-administration in dogs with β-amyloid levels >300 pg/mL (p = 0.0313). The laboratory results showed no remarkable adverse effects of the extract. This study suggests that Brain Six Complex Extract^ⓒ extract could be an adjunctive treatment for dogs with CDS.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.36
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• pp.1-20
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• 1998

This study was conducted to find out the effects of visiting companion dog program on people with chronic mental disability. Visiting companion dog program was carried out for one hour every week for about three months between January and March of 1997 for chronic schizophrenic patients with severe negative symptoms and evaluated by the treatment team as those who are incapable of participating in any other program aside from medication. In order to measure the effects of the program PANSS: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was conducted by two trained evaluators. The results showed that there was a statistically significant decrease in scores of negative symtoms and general psypathological symtoms. Moreover, scaling scores reported by the nurses and occupational therapist also reveal that the patients show positive changes such as improvement in conversational interaction and facial expressions. Such results evidence that companion animals can have positive emotional and mental influence on people with chronic mental disability. Furthermore the fact that the visiting companion dog program became a program that the chronically mentally disabled who could not participate in any other program can easily participate and enjoy is a meaningful finding in and of itself.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1021-1032
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• 2020

Numbers of companion animals and people rearing them are increasing in developed countries. As a result, businesses related to companion animals are becoming more advanced and specialized. Dogs have been cohabiting with humans as companions (pets) for thousands of years and, as a result, eat carbohydrate-rich foods similar to humans and maintain lives similar to their owners. Tight bonds between dogs and their owners are formed by sharing similar lifestyles, including a dwelling and food. Owners are responsible for their pets and treat them with emotional stability. Pets depend on their owners, although the food situation can cause stress. Since pet dogs are carnivorous in nature, providing pet dogs with a nutritionally balanced diet and functional materials is important for a healthy gut microbiome. Recently, the gut microbiota has become a research focus because it is associated with protection from harmful pathogens and immune regulation while maintaining physiological homeostasis. An abnormal gut microbiota is related to pathogenic processes and various gut, metabolic, mental, and neurological diseases. Additionally, pet dogs at risk of disease affect the health of their owners. Therefore, this review discusses the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota of dogs and the relationships between the gut microbiota and diseases.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2011

To investigate the toxicological effects of ${\beta}$-glucan, we performed basic studying on ${\beta}$-glucan in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Standard endpoints in this study included mortality, clinical observations, changes of body weights, analysis on food consumption, ophthalmoscopic examination, hematologic examination, serum biochemistry, analysis of organ weights, gross anatomic pathology and histopathology. No clinical signs and mortality were observed in animals treated with beta-glucan throughout the experimental period. The average body weight of each treatment groups showed similar levels at end of experiment. There were no treatment-related changes in mortality, body weights changes, food consumption, ophthalmoscopic examination. Although there were statistically significant differences between the control and treated groups in some relative and absolute organ weights, and hematological and biochemical analysis, the data were in biologically normal ranges and did not show a dose-dependent manner. In the morphological change, hepatic tissue were not showed ballooning degeneration and irregular arrangement of hepatic cell in ${\beta}$-glucan treatment groups with control group. Also, organs weights (liver, heart, kidney and stomach) and hematological indices (WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct and Platelet) did not show statistically significant differences among the experimental groups. In summary of these results, there were no changes in mortality, mean body weight, clinical signs, food consumption. There were no changes in ophthalmological examination, hematology, blood chemistry, necropsy and histopathology. In conclusion, although further investigation of glucan should be performed in the functions registered in many ancient literatures, ${\beta}$-glucan is physiologically safe and may have potential as candidate food for human health.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.153-157
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• 2021

This study reports the first two clinical cases of spirometrosis caused by Spirometra sp. in cats in Korea. In these two cases, the cats vomited, and long proglottids of tapeworm were recovered. The sick cats presented with anorexia and lethargy. However, they unexpectedly showed no diarrhea, which is the main symptom of spirometrosis. Based on a fecal floatation test as well as morphological and molecular analyses, the parasite was diagnosed as Spirometra sp. The 2 cases were treated with praziquantel. This study suggests regular monitoring of health and deworming in companion animals, even when animals are well cared for, with regular preventive medication. Additionally, spirometrosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of gastrointestinal symptoms in Spirometra endemic areas.

• Journal of Legislation Research
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• no.54
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• pp.261-301
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• 2018

In South Korea, the number of households that rear companion animal has been gradually increasing. With the rise of household dogs, the frequency of humans that are being bitten by another's dog has also increased. This type of accident, which is known as a dog bite accident throughout the United States. It can cause significant physical and emotional damage to the victims and may result in grave injuries or death. Dog bite accidents are serious public health problems and can cause immeasurable hidden costs to the community. South Korea has enacted several laws to address dog bite accidents, which include the Animal Protection Act, the Civil Act, and the Criminal Act. On March 20, 2018, the Animal Protection Act was amended to reinforce the current legislation. These amendments addressed the duty of care owed by a companion dog owner to society members and the punishment that an owner of a fierce dog would face in the event of a dog bite accident. Conversely, several states in the United States have enacted a single law that regulates the details regarding dog bite accidents, such as the type of dog or animal, the type of damage, the scope of compensation for damages, and the scope of recognition of liabilities. This paper is intended to review the present situation of dog bite legislation in several states in the United States, which have a variety of laws that address dog bite accidents, and compare them with current South Korean dog bite legislation. Through this research, this paper will discuss what issues may exist in South Korean's current dog bite laws, analyze the responsibility of companion dog owners, and provide solutions to any issues that are discovered.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.42
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• pp.293-313
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• 2016

The target stimulating human's sensitivity can include several things; the first is human like us including beautiful women and cute babies. The next ranking is the dog animal that established itself as a human's companion. It is the 3B law(beauty, baby, beast - much used in the ad or election due to the positive image) that is widely used in the advertising. This relationship is being expressed in the art history for a long time. Dogs that have lived a history more than 10 thousand years with humans hunted, protected flock of sheep, and kept the farmer's house and property. They have been human's assistants and companion who entered into the modern urban culture. Like this, dogs have adapted to several situations endlessly such as the nomadic life, farming, country life, and urban life. This paper will explore the close relationship of humans and companion animals through various icons of dogs and pups that appeared through a number of artists' skills. The companion animal means an animal that lives with people, which means the relationship of round-trip rather than the one-way relation those each other gives a help. Therefore, there artist tries to examine the figure of great hunter for survival, highly evaluated figure as the royal dignity, and the mascot-like figure delivering the daily happiness to modern people as presenting joy through a discussion of the 'countenance', a visual signal of the dogs and pups. They have been influenced by screen and popular media in 20C. Snoopy, a main character of and the movie <101 Dalmatians> made a success on the theater and television when Beagle and Dalmatian were prevalent. These main characters make audience feel happy involuntarily. Like this, the continuous and old friendship of the human and dogs will be confirmed again through the icon of dogs and pups consisting of the communication of artists and readers in the modern shape art, and it is hoped to be a psychological stabilizing effect to modern people living in the intense modern society. Therefore, it is expected this study paper will be reborn as a new text and be expanded as an effective communication in the journey of dogs and human in the future in investigating the communion of dogs and human.